Share this Story
December Graduates Celebrated During Winter Commencement Ceremony
President Scott D. Miller and Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson conferred degrees upon the Class of 2025
University News | December 13, 2025
View Photo Gallery | Watch Ceremony
December graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas during Virginia Wesleyan University’s Winter Commencement Ceremony, held December 13 in the Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
President Scott D. Miller welcomed graduates, their families, and friends, encouraging them to savor the significance of the milestone they had achieved.
“We are delighted that you’ve joined us for this most special occasion in the life of this institution and in the lives of our graduates,” he said. “To the Class of 2025, we are mindful of everything it took to get here today. But you made it!"
Reflecting on the transformative years the graduates spent at VWU—marked by changes on campus and in the wider world—President Miller emphasized the University’s expanding reach and evolving educational opportunities.
“Commencement may feel like a finish line, but we know better," he added. "This moment is a launch — a release of talent, ambition, and hope into a world that urgently needs all three.”
Following President Miller’s remarks, Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented two distinguished faculty awards.
The Faculty Award for Distinguished Scholarship, recognizing outstanding scholarly achievement and professional vitality, was awarded to Dr. Victor Townsend, Professor of Biology and Assistant Provost. The Faculty Award for Campus Service, honoring exceptional service beyond classroom duties, was presented to Professor of Mathematics Denise Wilkinson.
President Miller then introduced Commencement keynote speaker Dr. L. D. Britt, Vice Dean of Clinical Affairs in the Department of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School. A graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr. Britt serves as the Henry Ford Professor of Surgery and Edward J. Brickhouse Chair in Surgery at EVMS.
In his address, Dr. Britt encouraged graduates to consider how their education has positively shaped the “dash” between birth and death—and how they are now positioned for what he called the “pole position” in the next stage of life.
“By any metric, each one of you is one stage closer to having a leading or dominant position,” he said. “However, you have to remain focused and try to avoid any major missteps, unnecessary distractions, or counterproductive endeavors.”
He also urged graduates to distinguish between being “successful” and being “of value.”
“Success should not be defined by wealth or the power of greed. Remember, your first wealth is your health,” Dr. Britt said. “My entire career has been focused on being of value—understanding that my journey would be a marathon, not a sprint, with both strong and challenging legs of the race. Never leave to others the task of defining yourself.”
Following Dr. Britt’s impactful address, President Miller conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Science (honoris causa).
President Miller also presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) to Gilbert T. Bland, president and chairman of the Urban League of Hampton Roads and member of the Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame. Bland was recognized for his extraordinary civic and philanthropic leadership, including his recent partnership with VWU to launch the Incarcerated Persons ReEntry Program—an initiative championed by U.S. Representative Bobby Scott to reduce recidivism and expand educational access for incarcerated individuals.
President Miller and Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson then conferred degrees upon the Class of 2025, including candidates earning master’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees. Graduates from each academic school proudly crossed the stage as their families and friends applauded their accomplishments.
The ceremony concluded with the University’s Alma Mater, led by Dr. Bryson Mortensen and Vox Vera, followed by a benediction from Rev. Doug Sasser, Pastor of Haygood United Methodist Church.
View the full ceremony: The 2025 Winter Commencement Ceremony was livestreamed and will be archived on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network.
GradImages captured photographs of each graduate who crossed the stage during Commencement. Photos may be purchased at gradimages.com. Questions can be addressed to 800.261.2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or by email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. There is no obligation to purchase photos.